❝how do you kill a monster without becoming one?❞
In the last city ruled by man, fish soar in the skies above and monsters lurk in the alleys below. Ten years ago, Jase lost both his legs and his mother to one such monster. However, tragedy couldn't...
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Dinner was terrible.
While the others got to sit next to one another, laughing and eating without a care in the world, Huraira was forced to sit at the table reserved for the families of the Governors. She was between two people twice her age and their entire families, including several kids who were absolute brats. Huraira had no idea if she was that bad as a kid, but it was as though these kids had never been told no before in their lives. They were spoiled, loud, and Huraira swore her fangs had never been closer to popping, just to give them a scare.
There was no way she could actually eat someone without being on the brink of starvation as she apparently was with Bonnie.
Other fascinating company at the table included Last City's golden boy, Griffyn West. Though he was closest to Huraira in age, she didn't like Griffyn. Mainly because he had stuck his tongue down the throat of nearly every woman in the room. Then there was a single man who was drunk or high or something.
After an agonizingly long meal, where Huraira had to deal with these people, the gentle hum of music began and everyone slowly left the hall in favor of the ballroom. When enough people had left, Huraira finally got up from her seat and walked over to Jase and Kova. Lilja, Parthēna, and Tamīka had left a few moments before, headed to the positions they'd spent the past few weeks planning out.
Plopping down at the table, Huraira let out a loud and likely overdramatic sigh. "I hate children," she announced.
"They're not that bad," Jase said.
"Yes, they are," Huraira snapped, rubbing her eyes. "I'm never going to have kids. Why would anyone want kids? They're so loud and... sticky."
Jase grinned. "I'm certain."
"Shut up, Jase," Huraira snapped. "You agree with me, right Kova?"
"I like kids," Kova said. "Especially fried."
And that was the kind of joke that would be concerning enough without the lingering knowledge that Kova was a Smile and Huraira had no idea if he was joking or not. But Jase, poor, oblivious Jase, just rolled his eyes. "You're hilarious," he said, standing up. "But can you show me your god, now?"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Kova said he's going to show me a god," Jase said, grinning like an idiot.
Huraira whipped her head around to Kova for an explanation. Wasn't he supposed to be keeping a lookout for Red in the gardens? Kova looked away, guiltily. "No offense Jase," Huraira said, "When someone says that they're either about to murder you, try and get you to join a cult, or show you their-"
"No!" Jase snapped, cutting her off. "I asked Kova about what gods he worshipped-"
"God," Kova corrected. "She is only one."
"Yes - god - and he said he'd show me later." Jase waved his hand like this brief explanation of what events had led them all to where they were now would make things any better. "Now's later."
